Attempted jail break in Abakaliki prisons

There was tension and confusion in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi state capital following an attempted jail break by the inmates of Abakaliki prison.

It took the efforts of combined security men of Army and armed policemen to save the situation, as they cordoned off the road leading to the Federal teaching hospital for about two hours.

It was gathered that the inmates at about 12 noon started making unnecessary noise, singing and chanting all manner of song at prison yard.

Sources said that the inmates were revolting against an alleged treatment due to strike action embarked upon by the judiciary workers that had kept many of the awaiting trials in the prison without going to court.

Another source stated that the inmates were revolting against the type of feeding condition they were given at the prion, describing it rubbish and very small to satisfy them.

When our correspondent visited the office of the state Comptroller of Prison Mrs. B Okpoko Uche to react to the incident she was said to be out of the state for official assignment but a prison officer who doesn’t want her name in print said that it was a riot by the inmates which had been under control.

Photo: Obiano in Anambra prison